An ammo box along the Mindego Trail in the Russian Ridge Open Space
Preserve (OSP). The cache is about 25' from the trail, on the
downhill side of the trail. Tree cover can be a problem with
getting good coordinates. To minimize hillside trampling, the cache
is easiest to approach if you leave the trail at N37 18.915 W122
12.563.
Russian Ridge OSP is located near Skyline Blvd. (Highway 35)
& Page Mill / Alpine Road and has eight miles of trails.
Russian Ridge provides breathtaking views of both the Pacific Ocean
and the San Francisco Bay. Be sure to bring a camera. The preserve
also includes Borel Hill (elevation 2572 feet), the highest named
point in San Mateo County. Borel Hill offers a stunning 360-degree
view of the Bay, ocean and beyond. It can be really windy on Borel
Hill, a jacket might be needed. Russian Ridge is one of the five
best places in the Bay Area to see wildflowers, they are especially
beautiful in the spring.
The closest parking to this cache is at cache #GCR8H2, located
at N37 18.887 W122 11.826. If this parking turnout is filled for
some reason, the main parking area can be found on the northwest
corner of the Skyline Boulevard (Highway 35) and Page Mill / Alpine
Road intersection (across Skyline Boulevard, on the right).
Additional parking is located at the Caltrans vista point opposite
Russian Preserve gate #RR01 on Skyline Boulevard.
Russian Ridge OSP is open from dawn until one-half hour after
sunset. However there are also parking signs that state "No Parking
from 1/2 Hour After Sunset until 6 a.m." Please only cache during
park hours.
More information on this park, as well as downloadable maps, can
be found at:
http://www.openspace.org/preserves/pr_russian_ridge.asp
My favorite trail map can be found at:
http://boulter.com/geocaching/maps/maps/us/ca/SkylineSouth.jpg
For the FTF there is a $10 REI Gift Card. Happy Trails and Good
Hunting!!